Counsell tossed in sixth inning after arguing about non-reviewable play

DENVER – What looked like a foul ball turned into a fluky double play and, ultimately, led to Cubs manager Craig Counsell arguing and being ejected from his team's 9-3 win against the Rockies on Thursday afternoon in the series finale at Coors Field.

“When umpires cost you two outs, that’s a big deal,” Counsell said.

With the Cubs leading 6-2 in the sixth inning, Moisés Ballesteros chopped an 0-1 pitch from Rockies reliever Blas Castaño into the dirt at his feet, where it bounced and struck the Cubs' designated hitter on his right shin guard. The ball rolled into the infield grass, where Castaño retrieved it and then threw it to Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar at second base.

Nico Hoerner, who was on first base after an infield single, stayed put given that it appeared to be a foul ball. Home-plate umpire Louie Krupa deemed the ball in play, so Tovar stepped on second and fired the ball to first baseman TJ Rumfield. When he stepped on the bag, Colorado had a surprising double play.

Counsell, who now has two ejections this season, was unable to challenge the call and the play was not reviewable.

The manager emerged from the visitors’ dugout and initially chatted with first-base umpire Chris Guccione, asking for the group to discuss the play. The umpires convened with crew chief David Rackley and returned to Counsell with the same ruling. Infuriated, the Cubs' manager continued arguing on the field, resulting in Krupa ejecting Counsell from the game.

“They didn’t see it,” Counsell said. “And I don’t think you ever really see some of those plays. Like a hit-by-pitch, you don’t necessarily see it. But when the player reaction on the field – every player’s reaction on the field – is kind of very obvious, that’s what they go on in those situations.

“I thought the player reaction on the field was very obvious. And I was shocked, when they got together, that they didn’t think it was.”